Senquip ORB-X1-G, User Manual

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• Yellow: Moderate power usage; try to reduce the number of times that the ORB wakes to measure
sensors.
• Blue: Highest power consumption; only transmit data when required.
To allow flexible measurement and transmit intervals, whilst ensuring the lowest possible power
consumption, the ORB has three global and one per-peripheral measurement interval settings.
Base-Interval The base-interval is the period of time after which the ORB will wake from sleep in order to
check if there are any measurements to perform or if it is time to transmit the latest measured data. In a
system where measurements are required often, the base-interval can be as low as 5 seconds. In systems
that are slow to respond, the base interval can be as high as 24 hours. It makes sense to set the base
interval as long as possible to enable the ORB to spend as much time as possible in a low-power sleep
state.
Each peripheral, whether internal to the ORB or attached to the interface, can be set to only be measured
after a number of base-intervals. If a particular peripheral has the interval setting set to 1, then it will be
measured at each base-interval. If the interval is set to 0, then that particular peripheral will be turned
off. Each time a measurement is taken, the results will be compared with alert, warning and alarm condi-
tions and if an alert or exception occurs, the results will immediately be transmitted.
Note if a base-interval of less than 10 seconds is specified when the ORB is communicating via Wi-Fi or
120 seconds over GSM, the ORB will remain awake at all times. This setting is not suitable for battery
operated installations.
Note if the enabled measurements take longer to complete than interval at which they are scheduled, the
ORB will not return to sleep and measurements will be sent as fast as possible. This is most likely where
the GPS and serial devices are enabled.
Transmit-Interval The transmit-interval is the time between message transmissions. It is a multiple of the
base interval and is set as a number of base-intervals. All enabled measurements will be transmitted at
the transmit-interval. For example, if the base-interval is 1 minute and the transmit-interval setting is
sixty, then all the latest measurements will be transmitted every 60 minutes.
In cases where the ORB is configured to measure more often than to transmit, measured data can be
saved and transmitted in batches. It is more efficient to batch messages and transmit less regularly than to
send individual measurements. Use this option where power use needs to be minimised but all
measured data needs to be retrievd.
Note if during a measurement interval, an exception occurs, the ORB will immediately transmit the
measured data and will switch to the exception interval.
Note if measurement and transmission intervals coincide, measurements will be taken before transmis-
sion to ensure the latest values are transmitted.
Exception-Interval If a warning or alarm occurs, the transmit-interval can be shortened in order that
measurements are transmitted more often. The exception-interval is a multiple of the base interval and
sets the time between message transmissions when an exception is current (warning or alarm). For exam-
ple, if the base-interval is 1 minute and the transmit-interval setting is sixty, under normal circumstances,
measurements will be transmitted every 60 minutes. If the exception-interval setting is 5, then when a
warning or alarm condition is current, measurements will be transmitted at 5 minute intervals instead of
60 minute intervals.
ORB User Guide, Release 1.1
40 Chapter 4. General Setup